Interlocked Pallet And Container System

Abstract

This specification discloses an interlocked pallet and container system comprising a rectangular pallet having legs and a plurality of containers on said pallet in a stack which are interlocked together and to the pallet. A flap is hingedly connected to each of a pair of opposed side edges of the pallet and is formed with a series of projections which are received in openings in container walls of the outer rows of containers which engage the flaps. Straps are passed beneath the pallet and over the flaps and stacked containers to secure the interlocked condition.

Parent Case Text

This application is a continuation - in - part of the copending U.S. Pat. application of Oliver B. Kilroy, Ser. No. 220,329, filed Jan. 24, 1972, and entitled "Interlocked Pallet and Container System."

Description

The pallet is formed on its upper face with two pairs of grooves in parallel spaced relation to each other and to a side edge to which a flap is joined. Formed in the top face of the pallet and opening into each of these grooves are a plurality of pairs of aligned recesses with the number of such pairs corresponding to the number of containers in a row. Between the two pairs of grooves above mentioned is a central pair of upstanding ribs parallel to each other and to said grooves. Each of these ribs is formed with a plurality of pairs of aligned tabs normal to and outstanding from the rib. The spacing between the pairs of tabs corresponds to the spacing of said pairs of recesses.

Each container is rectangular in shape and comprises a bottom from which upstand four side walls in outwardly diverging relation. A top is hingedly connected to the upper edge of one side wall. Two of the side walls in opposed relation are formed with openings which receive the projections on the flaps. The bottom of each container is formed with a pair of downwardly projecting ribs in spaced parallel relation to each other and to the side walls with the openings. Extending outwardly from each rib in a direction normal thereto and in alignment are a pair of tabs. The top is formed with a pair of upwardly opening grooves in spaced parallel relation to each other and the top edges of the side walls formed with the recesses. Opening into each of these grooves is a pair of aligned recesses normal to the groove.

In use, the ribs on the bottoms of the outer rows of containers which are interlocked with the flaps are received in the outer pairs of grooves on the top face of the pallet. At the same time, the tabs on these ribs are received in the recesses which open into the grooves. The middle row of containers are inverted with the grooves in the tops thereof receiving the central pair of ribs on the pallet top face and the recesses which open into the grooves receiving the tabs on the central pair of ribs.

The present invention relates to interlocked pallet and container systems of the character disclosed in the above identified application, and is concerned primarily with improvements resulting in an interlock which inhibits movement of the containers relative to each other and to the pallet in two directions normal to each other and which incorporates stability into a container when disassembled from the stack and pallet and placed on a supporting surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The above identified application discloses an interlocked pallet and container system including a pallet of rectangular shape, from the bottom side of which depends three rows of legs with three legs in each row. Hingedly connected to two opposite side edges of this pallet are a pair of flaps having projections which extend inwardly when the flaps are in an upright position. Spaced inwardly from each of these side edges, a groove is formed in the top face of the pallet and which groove is parallel to the respective side edge. A rib parallel to the groove upstands from the top face of the pallet intermediate said grooves.

Each of the containers which are assembled on the pallet comprises a bottom of rectangular shape and from the edges of which upstand four side walls in diverging relation. Two of these side walls in opposed relation are formed with openings which are adapted to receive the projections on the flaps. Hingedly connected to the upper edge of one of these side walls is a cover. Protruding from the lower face of the bottom is a rib which is adapted to be received in one of the grooves in the pallet top face. Opening onto the upper face of the top is a groove which is adapted to receive the rib on the pallet when the container is in an inverted position or a rib on the bottom of a container which may be stacked thereabove.

In use a central row of containers in inverted position are positioned centrally of the pallet so that the rib on the pallet is received in the grooves in the container tops. Outer rows of containers are placed on the pallet in a conventional manner with the ribs on the bottoms thereof being received in the grooves in the pallet. The flaps are swung upwardly into positions in which the projections thereon are received in the openings of certain of the container side walls. One or more tiers of containers are then placed above the lower tier in an obvious manner. A pair of straps are then passed beneath the pallet over the flaps and about the stacked containers.

While the above described pallet and container system may prove to be satisfactory under most conditions, it presents two possible disadvantages. One of these resides in the possibility of the containers moving lengthwise in the direction of the grooves and ribs in the pallets and containers. The second possible disadvantage is related to the fact that on many occasions an isolated container may be placed on a supporting surface such as a floor or dock in an upright position, in which case the rib which projects from the bottom of the container results in a tilt or unstable condition.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

With the foregoing conditions in mind, the invention has in view the following objectives:

1. To provide in an interlocked pallet and container system of the character disclosed in said copending application, means for inhibiting longitudinal movement of the lower tier of containers relative to the pallet in the direction of the grooves and rib thereon and also relative longitudinal movement of the upper tiers of containers relative to the longitudinal grooves and ribs thereon.

2. To provide, in an interlocked pallet and container system of the type noted, means for inhibiting the longitudinal movement mentioned above, and which means takes the form of a pair of aligned recesses which open onto a groove in the pallet and which are normal to the groove, and a pair of aligned tabs which extend from a rib on a container bottom which are normal thereto and which tabs are received in said recesses, there being a pair of cooperating tabs and recesses for each container.

3. To provide, in an interlocked pallet and container system of the character aforesaid, containers having ribs extending from the bottoms thereof and each of which containers, when in an isolated condition, includes means for holding it in a stable position on a supporting surface.

4. To provide, in an interlocked pallet and container system of the kind described, container stabilizing means which takes the form of two parallel ribs projecting from the underside of the bottom of each container.

Various other more detailed objects and advantages of the invention such as arise in connection with carrying out the above ideas in a practical embodiment will, in part, become apparent, and, in part, be hereafter stated as the description of the invention proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing objects are achieved by providing a pallet including a horizontal platform of rectangular shape and a plurality of legs depending from the underside of said platform. A pair of flaps are connected to two opposed side edges of the platform by integral hinges and each of these flaps carries a plurality of projections which extend inwardly when the flaps are in an upraised position. Formed in the upper face of the platform in spaced parallel relation to each side edge to which a flap is connected are a pair of spaced parallel grooves. At intervals along each of these grooves are a pair of aligned recesses which open onto the grooves and are normal thereto. There is a pair of these recesses for each container which is to be positioned on the pallet.

Upstanding from the top face of the pallet between said two pairs of grooves are a pair of ribs in spaced parallel relation to each other and to the grooves. At intervals along each of these ribs, the top face of the pallet is formed with pairs of aligned tabs normal to the rib. These tabs are located at intervals corresponding to the spacing of the recesses aforesaid.

Assembled in stacked relation on the pallet are a plurality of containers each comprising a bottom of rectangular shape and from the edges of which upstand four side walls in diverging relation. Two of these side walls which are opposed to each other are formed with openings which are adapted to receive the projections on the flaps. A top is hingedly connected to the upper edge of one of the side walls between those formed with the openings. Projecting from the underface of the bottom are a pair of ribs which are in spaced parallel relation with respect to each other and the side edges from which the side walls with the openings upstand. The bottom is also formed with a pair of aligned tabs which extend outwardly from each groove in a direction normal thereto. These ribs and tabs on the bottom of a container are adapted to be received in the grooves and recesses in the top face of the pallet.

The container top is formed with a pair of upwardly opening grooves in parallel relation with respect to each other and the upper edges of the side walls formed with the openings. The top is also formed with a pair of upwardly opening aligned recesses which communicate with each groove and extend in a direction normal thereto. These grooves and recesses in the top are adapted to receive either the ribs and tabs on the pallet when the container is in inverted position, or the ribs and tabs on the bottoms of the containers in normal position. The grooves and recesses on the tops of the outer rows of containers which are in conventional position receive the ribs and tabs on the outer rows of containers in a tier thereabove. Straps are passed about the underside of the platform pallet, the flaps thereon, and the stacked containers, and are tightened to achieve a secure interlocked system.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective of a container which is used in the interlocked system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective of a portion of a container as assembled on a portion of the pallet;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the pallet with the flaps in upraised position;

FIG. 4 is a view in end elevation of the pallet and the lower portion of containers thereon being taken about the plane of the line 4--4 of FIG. 3, and

FIG. 5 is a perspective of a fully assembled interlocked pallet and container system of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding elements throughout the several views, and first more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, a container which is typical of those used in the subject system is referred to generally at 10. The container 10 comprises a bottom 11 which is rectangular, with square being the preferred shape. Upstanding from the side edges of bottom 11 are side walls 12 and 13 (FIG. 1) and 14 and 15 (FIG. 2). It is now common practice to mold containers of this type from fibrous material and in order to facilitate removal of a core mold and a container from a mold, the walls 12, 13, 14 and 15 diverge outwardly from the bottom 11 to provide the draft necessary for this removal. Walls 12 and 15 which are opposed are formed with a series of openings 16 for a purpose to be later described. Bottom 11 is formed with two ribs 17 which project from the underside thereof and the formation of which result in grooves on the upper face. Substantially midway the end of edge rib 17, the bottom 11 is formed with a pair of tabs 18 which align and which are normal to the respective ribs 17.

Container 10 is provided with a top 19 which may be a separate element as illustrated in the drawing, in which event it is secured in position after the container is filled in any appropriate manner. If desired, it may be hingedly connected to one of the side walls as disclosed in the said copending application. Top 19 is formed with a pair of grooves 20 which open onto its upper face and which are in spaced parallel relation to each other and to the upper edges of walls 12 and 15. Top 19 is also formed with a pair of aligned recesses 21 with a pair being provided for each groove 20 and the recesses in normal relation thereto. Each pair of recesses 21 opens onto a groove 20.

When top 19 assumes a sunken position within the upper portion of container 10, its upper face will be substantially flush with the upper edges of walls 12, 13, 14 and 15. Thus, walls 13 and 14 are formed on their upper edges with notches 22 which align with grooves 20.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4, a pallet is therein illustrated and identified generally at 23. Pallet 23 comprises a platform 24 of rectangular shape, preferably square, and from the underside of which depend a plurality of legs 25. In the illustrated embodiment, there are nine of these legs 25 in three rows, with three in each row, as appears in FIG. 5. Platform 24 presents end edges 26 and side edges 27. Connected to platform 24 at each side edge 27, as by an integral hinge represented at 28, is a flap 29 which extends the full length between end edges 26. Projecting from the inner face of each flap 29, when the latter is in the upraised position depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, are a plurality of projections 30. The projections 30 on each flap are spaced apart so that they may be received in the opening 16 in a side wall of container 10 when the latter is properly positioned on pallet 23.

The upper face of the platform 24 is formed with two pairs of grooves 31, with each pair being arranged in spaced parallel relation with respect to each other and the adjacent side edge 27 of platform 24. The grooves 31 extend between end edges 26. The top face of platform 24 is also formed with three pairs of aligned recesses 32 which are normal to and open into the groove 31 with which they are associated. Between the two pairs of grooves 31 are a pair of upstanding ribs 33 which are arranged in spaced parallel relation with respect to each other and grooves 31. Ribs 33 extend between end edges 26.

Associated with each rib 33 are a pair of aligned tabs 34 which upstand from platform 24 and extend outwardly from the rib with which they are associated. The several pairs of tabs 34 are spaced apart at intervals corresponding to the spacing of recesses 32.

OPERATION

The above described pallet and container system is used in the following manner. A row of containers 10 which is identified as an outer row 35 is placed on platform 24 of pallet 23 with the ribs 17 of the containers being received in the grooves 31 in the upper pallet face. At the same time, the tabs 18 will be received in the recesses 32. A second row of containers 10, which is identified as a middle row 36, is then placed in an inverted position against the outer row 35. In this position, the grooves 20 in the container tops 19 receive the ribs 33 on the pallet 23 with the tabs 34 fitting in the recesses 21. A second outer row of containers 37 is then positioned on pallet platform 24 against the middle row 36 in the same way above described in connection with outer row 35. These rows 35, 36, and 37 make up the lower tier which is placed on pallet 23. A second tier identified generally as 38 is placed over the lower tier, with the rib 17 and tabs 18 of the container bottom being received in the grooves 20 and recesses 21 of the container tops for the outer rows. The containers of the middle row are inverted so that grooves 20 and recesses 21 of the tops of the inverted containers receive the ribs 17 and tabs 18 of the bottoms of the inverted containers therebelow. A third upper tier 39 is then positioned in exactly the same way above described in connection with the tier 38. Flaps 29 are then swung upwardly into position in which they engage either of the sides 12 and 15 of the containers of the lower tier with the projection 30 fitting in opening 16 as is clearly shown in FIG. 2. A pair of straps 40 are then passed beneath the pallet platform 24 in the channels defined by legs 25 about the flaps 29 and over the outer side walls of the containers of the outer rows and then over the tops of the containers in the top tier 39. Straps 40 are tightened and secured by buckles 41 or other appropriate securing devices.

It is evident that the outer rows 35 and 37 of the lower tier are interlocked both with the pallet platform 24 and the flaps 29. Also, due to the inverted position of the containers in the middle row 36, and the draft in the container wall structure, the middle row 36 is securely clamped between the outer rows 35 and 37. The tabs 18 on the container and tabs 34 on the platform cooperate with the recesses 21 in the container tops and 32 in the platform pallet to inhibit longitudinal movement of the containers in the direction of the ribs and grooves relative to the pallet and containers.

Moreover, should it be desirable to place a container 10 in an isolated state on a supporting surface, the pair of ribs 17 on the bottom afford good stability and maintain the container in an upright position in which bottom 11 is substantially parallel to the supporting surface. This stability is further enhanced by the tabs 18.

While a preferred specific embodiment is herein disclosed, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact constructions, mechanisms and devices illustrated and described, because various modifications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. In an interlocked pallet and container system:

a. a pallet comprising a rectangular platform, having an upper face, a lower face, and two pairs of opposed side edges;

b. two pairs of grooves in said platform opening onto its upper face and extending between one pair of side edges and in spaced parallel relation to each other and the other pair of side edges;

c. a pair of flaps hingedly connected to the side edges of the platform which are parallel to said grooves;

d. a plurality of projections carried by said flaps and extending inwardly when said flaps are in upraised positions;

e. a plurality of legs depending from the lower face of said platform and defining a pair of channel-like passages on the underside of the platform and which terminate at the edges to which said flaps are connected;

f. a plurality of containers stacked on said platform, said containers being arranged in tiers, there being a lower tier, said lower tier including outer rows at the side edges of the platform to which said flaps are connected;

g. each of said containers comprising a rectangular bottom having a pair of downwardly projecting ribs in spaced parallel relation, with the ribs of the containers of the outer rows of the lower tier being received in said grooves, two pairs of opposed walls upstanding from said bottom in diverging relation, with a wall of one pair being formed with an opening, with the opening in the wall of an outer row receiving one of said projections, a top formed with upwardly opening grooves in spaced parallel relation, and

h. a pair of straps passing through said passages about said flaps on the outer rows of containers and over the top of said stacked containers.

2. The interlocked pallet and container system of claim 1 in which said lower tier includes a middle row of containers in an inverted position, and the top face of said pallet platform is formed with a pair of upstanding ribs which are received in the pairs of grooves on the tops of the inverted containers of said middle row.

3. The interlocked pallet and container system of claim 2 together with recesses extending outwardly from each side of each of said grooves in the pallet platform and container tops and tabs extending outwardly from each side of said ribs on the pallet top and the container bottoms.

4. The interlocked pallet and container system of claim 3 in which all of the recesses associated with all of the grooves are arranged in pairs at spaced intervals along the grooves, and the tabs which are associated with all of the ribs are arranged in pairs at spaced intervals along all of the ribs with the tabs of each pair extending outwardly from the opposite sides of the groove or rib in normal relation thereto.

5. The interlocked pallet and container system of claim 1 together with recesses extending outwardly from each side of each groove in the upper face of the pallet and the tops of the containers and tabs extending outwardly from each side of the ribs on the container bottoms and which tabs are received in said recesses.

6. The interlocked pallet and container system of claim 5 in which said recesses and tabs are arranged in pairs at spaced intervals along the grooves and recesses with the recesses and tabs of each pair being in alignment and normal to the respective groove or rib.

7. In an interlocked pallet and container system:

a. a pallet comprising a rectangular platform having an upper face, a lower face and two pairs of opposed side edges;

b. a pair of grooves in said platform opening onto its upper face and extending between one pair of side edges and parallel to the other pair;

c. a pair of flaps hingedly connected to the side edges of the platform which are parallel to said grooves;

d. a plurality of projections carried by said flaps and extending inwardly when said flaps are in upraised positions;

e. a plurality of legs depending from the lower face of said platform and defining a pair of channel-like passages on the underside of the platform and which terminate at the edges to which said flaps are connected;

f. a plurality of containers stacked on said platform, said containers being arranged in tiers, there being a lower tier, said lower tier including outer rows at the side edges of the platform to which said flaps are connected;

g. each of said containers comprising a rectangular bottom having a downwardly projecting rib, with the ribs of the containers of the outer rows of the lower tier being received in said grooves, two pairs of opposed walls upstanding from said bottom with a wall of one pair being formed with an opening, with the opening in the wall of an outer row receiving one of said projections, a top formed with an outwardly opening groove, and means to hold said top in closed position;

h. interlocking elements on said platform and the bottoms of the containers of said lower tier to inhibit longitudinal movement of said containers in the direction of said grooves in the pallet platform relative to said pallet, and

i. a pair of straps passing through said passages, about said flaps and the outer rows of containers and over the top of said stacked containers.